Why Seattle fails at winter

Updated 2:21 pm, Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Photo: JEFF LARSEN, Seattlepi.com File Photo

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The country knows we're ill-equipped for winter weather, namely snow. But why is that? We explore which components come together to make winter in Seattle - wait for it - a perfect storm. (Then we'll show ourselves out for making that joke.) less

The country knows we're ill-equipped for winter weather, namely snow. But why is that? We explore which components come together to make winter in Seattle - wait for it - a perfect storm. (Then we'll show ... more

Photo: JEFF LARSEN, Seattlepi.com File Photo

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The city's old policy to refrain from salting the roads, for the sake of our salmon, sounded great until we needed it. Seattleites' outrage at our hold-the-salt policy disgraced former mayor Greg Nickels in 2008. less

We have mad hills. From Capitol Hill, Beacon Hill and Queen Anne to downtown and Magnolia, there is no easy route to get anywhere we need to go. So lay off, Midwesterners.

We have mad hills. From Capitol Hill, Beacon Hill and Queen Anne to downtown and Magnolia, there is no easy route to get anywhere we need to go. So lay off, Midwesterners.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, Seattlepi.com File Photo

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We're not the best at leaving ample stopping distance.

We're not the best at leaving ample stopping distance.

Photo: SCOTT EKLUND, Seattlepi.com File Photo

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The bus isn't even a safe or efficient option.

The bus isn't even a safe or efficient option.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File Photo

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We abandon our cars, leaving more obstacles in the road and fodder for rubberneckers. Just what we need.

We abandon our cars, leaving more obstacles in the road and fodder for rubberneckers. Just what we need.

Photo: Seattlepi.com File Photo

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It's been documented that we're just plain bad at driving in the first place. We're timid, we're passive-aggressive. We're nervous and overcompensate for our roadway fears. So adding ice and slush to that mix just makes us worse. less

It's been documented that we're just plain bad at driving in the first place. We're timid, we're passive-aggressive. We're nervous and overcompensate for our roadway fears. So adding ice and slush to that mix ... more

Photo: Joshua Trujillo, Seattlepi.com File Photo

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There's an economic argument for why we suck in the snow. Why make the investment in extra snow plows, winter equipment and related services when we'll only need them maybe once or twice a year? Is it not better to just have one day of anarchy than bother with a rare inconvenience? Heck, King County cut its snow plow route by two-thirds this year in the event of snow. less

There's an economic argument for why we suck in the snow. Why make the investment in extra snow plows, winter equipment and related services when we'll only need them maybe once or twice a year? Is it not ... more

Photo: Karen Ducey, Seattlepi.com File Photo

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Our hippie cars aren't the best for taking on inclement weather.

Our hippie cars aren't the best for taking on inclement weather.

Photo: PHIL H. WEBBER, Seattlepi.com File Photo

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If we do happen to have tire chains, we're probably not that well-versed in how to apply them. Those of us with studded tires leave them on way longer than it's safe, tearing up Seattle roads even more, which leaves them more vulnerable to crappy conditions, especially when it snows again. (It's the circle of Seattle driving.) less

If we do happen to have tire chains, we're probably not that well-versed in how to apply them. Those of us with studded tires leave them on way longer than it's safe, tearing up Seattle roads even more, which ... more

Photo: MIKE URBAN, Seattlepi.com File Photo

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We're almost never dressed appropriately. Suddenly our windbreakers, rain slickers and fleece vests are inappropriate for the weather.

We're almost never dressed appropriately. Suddenly our windbreakers, rain slickers and fleece vests are inappropriate for the weather.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, Seattlepi.com File Photo

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A lot of us, lulled into complacence by our nearly year-round mild weather, are in denial that we're vulnerable to snow. An inch of snow can't be that bad, right? Bring it on! ... we tell ourselves before getting stuck on our hilly driveway. We do live right next to mountains, people. It happens. less

A lot of us, lulled into complacence by our nearly year-round mild weather, are in denial that we're vulnerable to snow. An inch of snow can't be that bad, right? Bring it on! ... we tell ourselves before ... more

Photo: Grant M. Haller, Seattlepi.com File Photo

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Of course, we don't get the pleasant, powdery snow Washingtonians get on the other side of the Cascades. We get slush, which freezes overnight and lays down a nice sheet of ice beneath the next layer of snow that may come. We may be lucky to walk to our bus stop early in the morning without falling on our butts. At least we know it will all thaw out soon. less

Of course, we don't get the pleasant, powdery snow Washingtonians get on the other side of the Cascades. We get slush, which freezes overnight and lays down a nice sheet of ice beneath the next layer of snow ... more

Photo: Joshua Trujillo, Seattlepi.com File Photo

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As we're wont to do with a lot of our problems, some Seattleites blame Californian transplants for our traffic woes, including aggressive drivers and bad drivers in the rain. Why not throw in snow? Even though the L.A. Times has once pointed out our challenges with snow, it's probably their former neighbors who are tripped up by a few flakes up here. less

As we're wont to do with a lot of our problems, some Seattleites blame Californian transplants for our traffic woes, including aggressive drivers and bad drivers in the rain. Why not throw in snow? Even though ... more

Photo: Meryl Schenker, Seattlepi.com File Photo

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Better luck next time, Seattle.

Better luck next time, Seattle.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO, Seattlepi.com File Photo

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Why Seattle fails at winter

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We in Seattle can often be thankful that our weather never cooperates with what the rest of the country experiences, except those times when winter actually hits us.